Sunday, April 14, 2019, Evident Grace Fellowship looked John 12.16-26:

 

John 12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

 

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

 

From those verses, we pursued this Big Idea and these three points:

 

Big Idea:  Wishing to See Jesus

Confusion is Okay

Opposition is Expected

Resurrection is Promised

 

 

Confusion is Okay

 

John 12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

 

As the crowds met Jesus with songs and palms, the disciples were curious.  They didn’t completely understand what was going on.  However, after Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and received His glory, the disciples understood what was going on.  The crowd knew that Lazarus rose from the dead, but they didn’t fully understand what was going on.   This is an important principle.  When we come to Jesus, we don’t have to fully understand all that Jesus has done.  But as we seek to understand Jesus and His glory, we grow in worship and are assured in our faith.

 

Opposition is Expected

 

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

 

The Pharisees are angered because everyone is following Jesus.  Now that Lazarus has risen from the dead and that the crowd is worshiping Jesus, they are at their end.  This is important:  we have to understand that as the fame of Jesus rises, the world is going to oppose us.  As we more fully see Jesus, and as we help others more fully Jesus, we are going to face opposition.

 

Resurrection is Promised

 

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

 

Greeks come and visit this Jewish city and Jewish festival.  They want to speak with Jesus.  As His disciples find Him, Jesus teaches them about the nature of faith.  He tells them that unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it can’t bear fruit.  That is the nature of faith in Jesus.  It is about resurrection.  So, everyone who follows Jesus dies to themselves.  They take everything the way and everything they are and give it to Jesus.  In that however, we find a resurrection of hope and joy.

 

Big Idea:  Wishing to See Jesus

Confusion is Okay

Opposition is Expected

Resurrection is Promised

 

—

 

Truth:  Our doubt-filled faith is vilified by the world.  Yet, when we are truly seen by Jesus, we enjoy a resurrection hope that will transcend this world and sustain us until eternity.

 

Application:  Live knowing that giving your life away to Jesus can be confusing.  But remind yourself constantly that Jesus welcomes you as you seek Him in the midst of your doubt.

 

Action:  Answer this question this week:  What does losing my life for Jesus’ sake look like at:

 

School

Work

Gym

House